Equipment Packs - The Monk

I felt like the monk could go in any direction as far as a starting equipment pack is concerned. I started off with three tiers, the backpack tier, the satchel tier, and the no pack tier. Quickly realizing that a backpack for the monk is overkill, I jumped down to the next two options. While it’s tempting to go with the no pack option for the monk, they do need some starting equipment, so that was ruled out. This left us with the satchel. Working with the space provided and the simple needs of the monk, I was able to equip the monk with more than just the bare necessities but not much more than that.

Where we ended up focusing was on the revised climber’s kit. There are more details on the kit below, but it seemed like the perfect fit for this class. The 1st level monk is pretty squishy and really needs to be careful. AC is low and you don’t have any ki points yet. No matter how badly you want to run in and punch something, it can easily result in disaster, if not outright death. Why not give our poor monk something to distract them and make them feel useful during that time before they can use flurry of blows on some poor kobold?

The climber’s kit is that distraction, but at the same time can be a very useful item now and later in the campaign. Need to get up that city wall or into the tree to scout ahead and keep an eye on the guards? Tie that grappling hook to the rope and up you go. Climb up at prepare that surprise attack, allowing you do scurry away before the creature gets a chance to hit you for 8 HP. Worst-case scenario, you repeatedly climb up ten feet and practice cool landing poses for when you get Slow Fall.

So let’s dive in and take a look at the Monk Pack. But before we do I wanted, once again, to point out that the monk pack, like the other packs before it, is mostly for flavor. Each pack has items that have in-game uses and that’s what makes them fun and interesting. But this is not the creation of a new mechanic, spell or class. It’s just a fun exercise that can be used in session zero. Besides, I bet none of your other characters has ever had their own pair of crampons before.

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The Monk Pack

1. Monk Satchel (2 gp.) - A monk satchel is the coolest version of a bike messengers bag that you have ever seen. The leather is carefully cured and probably made from some exquisite breed of goat, which makes it extremely durable. If you’re into flair, that strap is the perfect place for all your pins. The biggest difference between this satchel and others in that it comes standard with two custom hooks on each of its sides. There, you can hang your rope, bedroll, torches, or whatever else you ave that is too bulky to go inside. And since you’re getting a climbers kit, you will need that space.

2. Arm/Leg Wrappings (1 sp.) - Every monk wears them. Since they are cloth and will get dirty quickly, not to mention covered in the blood of your vanquished foes, I’m sure you’ll need some extras. Don’t worry, they are cheap and don’t take up a great deal of room.

3. Bedroll (1 gp.) - One of your few material possessions from the monastery, your blanket goes where you go.

4. Climbing Kit (8 gp.) - Here’s where we can have some fun. This climber’s kit is not the same kit found in the PHB. This specialized kit includes equipment that assists with those heroes that may use climb as more than something to when you run across a pit with spikes at the bottom of it. This climber’s kit includes the following: 50 feet of rope, a set of pulleys (2), 10 pitons, a small hammer, a small grappling hook, and a set of crampons.

   So let’s start with the first and most obvious question. What is a set of crampons? A crampon is a traction device that is attached to your existing footwear to improve mobility on snow, ice, and some wood while climbing. (See picture above) They are made to slip over existing footwear and are feet into place using strap bindings. When used properly, the crampon may provide the wearer with a +1 bonus to all ability checks involving climbing. The metal used for these are usually aluminum or the like, so one should not expect to just strap them on and climb up a wall. Applying to much weight or force will result in the claw portions snapping off, and any attempt to use them as a weapon will result in it bending or breaking completely.

   The rope and pitons are all standard issue. The hammer supplied in the climber’s kit is smaller and lighter than on bought by itself. Its sole purpose is to hammer in and secure pitons and use for anything else that could result in breakage. The grappling hook is also smaller than normal, and will only support the weight on one medium-sized creature. Of course, a cool DM may allow you to get creative when throwing the hook, as its small size could allow you to get it into some tight spots.

   The last piece of equipment found in the pack is a set of pulleys. Each pulley can support the weight of one medium-size creature. Pulleys are exciting pieces of equipment and have a multitude of uses. Of course, the first thing I thought of has little to do with science and more to do with fun. If I’m a monk and I have this pack, the first thing I’m doing is using my rope to cross some sort of deadly crag in the earth, but in a much harder way than I probably need to. My friends and I are setting up a zip line, and using the pulleys to ride across safely.

5. Journeybread (10 gp.) - A specially designed biscuit that fills the stomach and provides all necessary nutrients with only a few small bites, so you can carry food for a long journey without weighing yourself down. You get two.

6. Meditation Book (5 sp.) - Only you know the prayers and mantras that are kept in this book that allow you to harness your ki. For all, we know it could just be a book filled with kitten drawings and baby Yoda memes. If it works for you, then who cares what we think.

7. Waterskin (2 sp.) - Water or Wine, it’s up to you what goes in there, unless you go Way of the Drunken Master…then it’s wine.

So there it is, the Monk’s Equipment Pack. Nothing fancy, and I hoped you enjoyed the revised version of the climber’s kit. As always, I’d love to hear back from you with any feedback you may have about this or any of the other equipment packs out there.

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Header Art Credit - Paizo Publishing, 2013